The Obama campaign has shattered all fund-raising records, raking in $458 million so far, with about half the bounty coming from donors who contribute $200 or less. Aides say that’s an illustration of a truly democratic campaign. To critics, though, it can be an invitation for fraud and illegal foreign cash because donors giving individual sums of $200 or less don’t have to be publicly reported. Consider the cases of Obama donors “Doodad Pro” of Nunda, N.Y., who gave $17,130, and “Good Will” of Austin, Texas, who gave more than $11,000—both in excess of the $2,300-per-person federal limit.

In two recent letters to the Obama campaign, Federal Election Commission auditors flagged those (and other) donors and informed the campaign that the sums had to be returned. Neither name had ever been publicly reported because both individuals made online donations in $10 and $25 increments. “Good Will” listed his employer as “Loving” and his occupation as “You,” while supplying as his address 1015 Norwood Park Boulevard, which is shared by the Austin nonprofit Goodwill Industries. Suzanha Burmeister, marketing director for Goodwill, said the group had “no clue” who the donor was. She added, however, that the group had received five puzzling thank-you letters from the Obama campaign this year, prompting it to send the campaign an e-mail in September pointing out the apparent fraudulent use of its name.

“Doodad Pro” listed no occupation or employer; the contributor’s listed address is shared by Lloyd and Lynn’s Liquor Store in Nunda. “I have never heard of such an individual,” says Diane Beardsley, who works at the store and is the mother of one of the owners. “Nobody at this store has that much money to contribute.” (She added that a Doodad’s Boutique, located next door, had closed a year ago, before the donations were made.)

The dependable Associated Press covered for Obama:

Running interference for criminal fraud: that’s the role of the Associated Press since it became a liberal advocacy organization.

If the legislation, called the Disclose Act, lived up to its name, it might be uncontroversial. People across the ideological spectrum tend to say that forcing corporations and others to disclose their contributions is a good response to the pernicious influence of money on politics.

Except

The problem is that the bill in Congress goes beyond disclosure, and even its authors say that it could, in practice, limit the involvement of corporations and unions in elections. “The deterrent effect should not be underestimated,” Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in unveiling the bill.

The real effects of the DISCLOSE Act will be to deter political speech (including criticism of incumbents, such as its chief sponsors, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)) and political advocacy by corporations and associations that Democrats don’t want participating in the American political process. It includes both absolute bans on independent political advocacy and new, burdensome disclosure requirements. Schumer admitted when he introduced the bill that “the deterrent effect should not be underestimated.” During a House Administration Committee hearing, Rep. Michael Capuano (D-MA) made no bones about the fact that he hoped this Act “chills out all . . . I have no problem whatsoever keeping everybody out [of elections]. If I could keep all outside entities out, I would.”

Unless, of course, you were a protected outside entity. Like unions.

Of course, the “deterrent” and “chilling” effect is meant to hit corporations — including nonprofit associations like Citizens United, the conservative advocacy organization that brought the original lawsuit — but not unions, which are exempted from most of the provisions of the bill. No surprise there, since unions support Democrats almost exclusively, with huge amounts of money. And the majority party is moving this bill at a breakneck pace through Congress to have it in place for the November elections, because Democrats fear November will be their election Waterloo.

The DISCLOSE Act would ban certain government contractors from engaging in any political speech, yet unions that represent government employees, and organizations like Planned Parenthood that receive large amounts of federal grants, would not be affected. American companies with American workers and American officers could be banned from speaking if a small minority of their shareholders are foreigners, yet unions with foreign officers and foreign members could spend as much money on political advocacy as they want. And many of the new disclosure provisions imposed by the act were made onerous and burdensome for the specific purpose of deterring political speech.

Overcoming opposition from within their own ranks, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic House leaders pushed through a controversial campaign finance reform bill Thursday on a 219-206 vote.

This thing needs to be killed. Anything that Obama wants this badly is automatically bad for America.

Obama on Saturday once again threw his weight behind the congressional fix that he said would help voters make an informed judgment about a group’s motivations. Also, foreign-controlled corporations would be restricted from spending money to influence elections, just as they were before the Supreme Court opened up this loophole, Obama explained.

About DrJohn

DrJohn has been a health care professional for more than 30 years. In addition to clinical practice he has done extensive research and has published widely with over 70 original articles and abstracts in the peer-reviewed literature. DrJohn is well known in his field and has lectured on every continent except for Antarctica. He has been married to the same wonderful lady for over 30 years and has three kids- two sons, both of whom are attorneys and one daughter on her way into the field of education.
DrJohn was brought up with the concept that one can do well if one is prepared to work hard but nothing in life is guaranteed.
Except for liberals being foolish.

Nan G

Interesting post.
I think most American people will slowly allow themselves to be painted into a tiny corner if the painter convinces them it is for their own good.

Obama is a good painter.

You know, he’s got the press doing his bidding, too.
Like yesterday.
Even I thought, WOW!, he took his family to a Christian Church!
About time and good for them!

BUT wait….here’s what the mainstream press didn’t tell us:

On that particular Sunday in that particular church, Dr. Ziad Asali, M.D., a Muslim, founder and president of the American Task Force on Palestine, was the guest speaker.
He was there to speak on the subject of “Prospects of the two-state solution in the Middle-East.”

Dr. Ziad J. Asali is described as “a long-time activist on Middle East issues” who has testified to both chambers of Congress about Palestinian interests, increased U.S. aid to the Palestinian Authority, and “Israel’s disproportionate use of force” in Gaza.

aceofwands

Nan G

I have heard that a good painter can talk some people into being painted into a corner.

Obama is a good painter.
A lot of Americans do whatever he says.
And they want America to go whatever way he says might be good for him…..even if it is NOT good for them!

BTW, did you know that when Obama dragged his family to Christian Church yesterday he only did it to take them to hear a Muslim speaker?
Yup.
Not too much mainstream media coverage of that tidbit, huh.

BTW, did you know that when Obama dragged his family to Christian Church yesterday he only did it to take them to hear a Muslim speaker?
Yup.
Not too much mainstream media coverage of that tidbit, huh.

gasp! Obama attends church and listens to speakers much of the nation feels is unPC….. How could the media miss such earthshaking, breaking news!

Sheila

Americans have already allowed themselves to be painted into a corner because not every legal American votes……they are too wrapped up in thier pampered liberated life. And American will never run “by the people for the people” cuz that is truly a socalistic state and America is too hung up on confusing socalism with communism. Our dollar is worth less now than it ever has been yet the rich just keep getting richer and no one gives a crap about thier fellow americans…they would rather spend thier money on themselves and ensuring that capitalism is shoved down the throat of every other country in the world. IT IS SICKENING AND DEPPRESSING, that a washed up cuban can get medical assistance and food stamps when my children have to eat what I can afford which is not much lately. And they are still shoving untrue propaganda down our throats, while most americans are to stupid to even notice they are being lied to to help the rich stay rich.

BTW, did you know that when Obama dragged his family to Christian Church yesterday he only did it to take them to hear a Muslim speaker?
Yup.
Not too much mainstream media coverage of that tidbit, huh.

Well, the problem is…and the reason for the lack of media coverage is…it’s NOT TRUE:

What is “widely not reported” in this post is that that the central charge is false. The article says the Obama went to church to hear this Muslim speaker. It is true that Ziad Asali did speak at St. John’s this past Sunday. But Asali was part of a 10am “Forum” class. Obama attended a 9am worship service. The St. John’s rector spoke at the service Obama attended.

Tallgrass

Sheila;

Stop whinning . . . you sound like BO. If you can not afford your life style change YOUR life style. I will not put up with a stupid whinner with their hand stuck out asking for more money to live a life style outside their means. Get in your Lexus and go home.

Now, show me the effort!!! If you are going to school, trying to improve your situation in life. If you have a husband, who works and will pass any drug test. If you live OUTSIDE the Ghetto.

Just ask and I will do everything in my power to help YOU!!! No I will not vote for legislation that fills your hand with freebies. But I will help you as an individual.

Get the picture? I help those I WANT to help. I refuse to vote for a legislative program that is filled with LEXUS driving, drug dealing, baby factories.

rich wheeler

Tammy

@Nan G: Thank you Nan! I never heard this story. I do love the contributers here on Flopping Aces. They know how to dig in holes that I have never heard of and it is always amazing what they manage to drag out to the sunlight. I was wondering why he would all of a sudden go to church after all this time. Since obtaining office, he has never really expressed an interest in trying to please anyone. I couldn’t imagine him or Michelle caring enough at this point (after all they won the prize didn’t they) to kowtow to anyone, especially on his faith. Thank you!!!!!!

Tammy

@Aye Chihuahua: Aye, yes, so it would seem that he missed that speaker. However the compliment still applies to Nan and to you, it seems AC, because you have done your homework as well. I stand by my admiration for this community of researchers.

However I am left wondering (my private musings you understand) if one of his party didn’t manage to stay behind and get some valuable insight from the guest speaker on behalf of the family. However I can’t find evidence to suggest that they did, so it will be my private musings shared with the esteemed members of this board.

George Orwell: Feared those that would ban books.
Aldous Huxley: Feared that there would be no need to ban books, since no one would be left that would want to read them.

George Orwell: Feared that the truth would be concealed from US.
Aldous Huxley: Feared that the truth would be drowned in a sea of irrelevance.

We are being lead around like a dog tied to a cart . . . even though we may not want to go where the cart takes us . . . we no longer have the power or will to resist. We have become stoic in our lives and in so doing We The People have seriously jepordized our Republic.

Sheila

@ tallgrass – I drove a vw jetta that the dealer wrongfully sold me as never being crashed for the past 3 years, mostly to the store and back because of the gas issue, until 3 months ago when it blew a head gasket. As it turns out the replacement part my husband tried to put on didn’t fit because it was junkyard parts from another year and since I am still making payment on the pos I have to wait till the fix budget fills back up. Personnaly I don’t want food stamps, however, when my child comes down with strep throat I would like to take her to the doctor and owe him 60 of the $95 he charges, but because they are allowed to be on a no pay no appointment plan even though the oath they take says nothing about money I have to rack up a $400 emergency room bill (which as to date I have 4 plus a $4000 emergency room visit by my husband) Plus a credit card for the chiropractor that is a drug fee alternative to back problems that the insurance we had would not cover. I personally haven’t been able to justify such bills for myself, so I have not visit a doctor in almost 2 years now, when my last child was born and the reason they are now allowed health coverage. Before my single child was not covered because they would not take the $200 that my husband paid in child support out of his earnings and we were $180 from qualifying. I agree with what I have read, If I have to take a drug test for a job you damn sure better have to take one for food stamps.
I am the creater of my situation and I will get myself out of it, I just refuse to sign a loan for $60,000 for a piece of paper that may or may not improve my finacial situation enough to even pay it off. Apparently because my husband does work for our living, we make too much for free help, which is what pisses me off.
and the other thing that pisses me off is everyone is gripping about how things being pushed through here and pushed through there, well last I checked that meant your representatives were not really representing you, because they did not poll the majority of thier constituants and vote as they should have so it is just as much thier fault as Obama’s and vice a versa

Only 27 percent of respondents strongly disagree with the ability of companies and unions to spend money on politics.

56 percent of respondents agree with the statement that “[i]nterest groups represent the views of many American citizens with different priorities and should be free to spend money promoting their members’ interests in politics.”

Just 35 percent disagree.

59 percent of voters also agree that a law prohibiting government contractors from running political ads should also ban unions that represent government contractor employees from running such ads (which DISCLOSE does not).

30 percent disagree.

Voters disagree with what the Democrats Disclose Act would force on the American people.

But, I have to note, many of the policies and bills passed since Obama has taken office run in heavy opposition to the views of the people.

Tallgrass

Shelia;

I am very sad to hear about the problems that you and your family are experiencing now. I know that you feel hard pressed and it does indeed cause our “Pride” in America to be damaged . . . so say nothing of our self esteem. I can only encourage you to keep after that “American Dream” . . . it is truly within your grasp . . . just remember the sky may seem darkest just before the sunshine breaks through.

My wife works for Head Start . . . she deals with the situation you are facing everyday. My wife also provides information to help people find some relief when they are placed under such hard challenges. If you have your children in such program, I highly recommend that you seek their help.

BO . . . is Barack Obama . . . it is another one of those “alphabet” soup acronyms that those of us that have been on Flopping Aces (FA) have just come to recognize.

I do welcome you here to FA, your opinions are very much respected and sought after. Sometimes I tend to “come down” hard on a new face, or maybe just one I have not seen before. This “initial” punch some times gets rid of the “trolls” (trouble makers that only drop in on the fly-by).

Please stick around and enjoy some of the best and most thought provoking blogging on the net.

ilovebeeswarzone

Sheila

@tallgrass
I understand….I just wish more americans would feel as though thier personal freedom is at stake and take a more active part in insuring our country is “by the people for the people”. I am a peace and love kinda girl, but the hippie movement has not done justice to our country in that aspect. I wish there were no need for war, but that is up to stupid people sometimes and completely neccessary. I can only pray that at some point our governement would see it is more worth protection our borders than trying to change the political views of other countries. I think illegal immigration and the drug war would both be mute points if our troops were stationed allong our borders and not just at border crossing.
Only time will tell how this will all turn out…I am not happy with any of the candidate I must choice from this comming NOvember (district attorney, etc) but I will make the best informed descision and above all else practice what makes me american and vote.